Metallic spool or reel



g- 1, 1933- w. c. MILLS 1,920,420

METALLIC SPOOL OR REEL Filed Nov. 20, 1929 Patented Aug. 1, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Clark Manufacturing notation of Illinois.

Co; Rockford, 111., a. Gor- Application November 20, 1929 Serial No. 408,442

1': Claims.

The invention has reference to a spool which is especially adapted for use as a container for line wire, silk thread, and the like. Spools of this character commonly comprise a tubular body or barrel having heads secured upon opposite ends thereof, and from the standpoint of economy in construction it is desirable to make the spools of sheet metal, the heads being formed of circular metallic plates or disks interlocked with the ends of the body.

When fine wire, silk thread, or the like is wound tightly upon spools of this character, a substantial amount of pressure is exerted upon the inner faces of the heads with a resulting tendency to deflect the same outwardly so that the wire or thread being wound is apt to become wedged between the heads and the body of the material. Also the heads are apt to become bent in the opposite direction in the use of the spool through accidental dropping or other hard usage.

The primary object oi the present invention is to provide a sheet metal spool having heads of improved construction which are capable of resisting 'efi'ectuallydeflection in either direction longitudinally of the barrel.

More specifically stated, the invention serves to provide a spool having heads each consisting of two plates secured together at their peripheries and securely held in spaced relation adjacent one end of the tubular body so as to vproduce a structure in the nature of a truss effectually holding the head against deflection.

A further object is toprovide a spool of the 7 character above set forth in which theend portion of the spool between tlie two head plates is reinforced so as to facilitate the application of the head to the body. V 7

Another object is to provide a spool of the character referred to in which the end of the tubular body or barrel is closed, exceptfora central aperture, by a plate providin'g a fflat surface adapted to receive a label or the like.

In the accompanying drawing whereinI have illustrated the preferred embodiment only 01' the invention: A

Figure 1 is a perspective viewof the spool.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged central longitudinal section through one end of the spool. V

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view showing the shape of the parts prior to the final assembling operation.

Fig. 4 is an edge view of a ring employed.

Figs. 5 and 6 are fragmentary sectional views showing two different modifications.

portion of a spacer Fig. 7 is a transverse section illustrating the particular form of spacer ring employed in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section showing still another modification.

The spool as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 comprises a tubular body or barrel 7 formed from a flat sheet of metal and having its meeting edges joined by a seam 7* of usual character. Upon opposite ends of the tubular body 7 are mounted heads generally designated 8 and composed of inner 6 and outer walls. The ends of the body 7 are closed by centrally apertured plates 9 forming part of the outer end wall of each head and connected by means of an inner core 10, the latter being adapted to receive supporting mandrels or the like.

Near each end of the tubular body '7 is formed an annular bead 11 providing a shoulder or abutment upon which is seated the edge of a flat centrally apertured plate or disk 12 forming the inner wall of the head 8. Said disk is offset slightly as at l3'to an extent equal to the thickness of the head 11 so that the inner face of the disk 12 lies flush with the inner face of the bead.

The outer end wall of each head is rigidly secured to the extreme end of the body, and to this end the body has an outturned flange 14 against which bears a reversely bent hook-like flange 15 of a second plate or disk 16 overlying the wall 12 and-forming a part of the outer wall of the head 8. Said flanges 14 and 15 are connected by an annulus 17 in the form of a curl on the peripheral edge of'the closure plate 9 of the body, thus providing a rigid connection between the plates 9 and 16.. From the point of such connection the plate 1.6 is inclined inwardly toward the periphersl edgc of the'head so as to meet the inner wall plate 12 at a point near the periphery of the latter, and both. plates are then bent outwardly to form fianges'lll and .19 which terminate in a joint curl 20., Thus the two disks or plates 12 and 16 of each head are secured together at their periphcries, and the marginal edges of their central openings are spaced apart longitudinally of the body. Preferably the inclined portion of the plate 16 is made slightly convex, it having been found that when thus formed the tendency of the plate to buckle during the assembling operation is substantially lessened.

The portion 01 the spool between the two walls of the head is strengthened or reinforced in a manner such asto facilitate the application of the head. As shown in Fig. 3, the two walls of the head of a rigid spacer which, in the present instance,

areefirmly held in spaced relation by means i is in the form of a band or ring 21 made of sheet metal and corrugated to make it more rigid and also to increase its effective cross-sectional area. As shown, the ring encircles the end of the body, and the plate 12 constituting the inner wall has formed integral therewith an additional reinforcing member in the former a flange Zlwhich. in the present embodiment, is inserted between the ring 21 and the body. Thus the inner edge of the ring holds the inner wall 12 securely against the body adjacent the outer face of the bead 11. The outer edge of the ring 21 bears. a ainst the adjacent edge of the outer wall lfi to hold the curled annulus 17 firmly clamped between the outer wall of the head and its reversely bent flange 15. The annulus in turn is firmly connected to the outer plate by interengagement with its flange 15, the annulus also clamping saidf flange 15 and the flange 14 on the body together.

By the construction thus set forth, both plates of the head ar e securely anchored to the body so as to be capable of resisting outward radial strains. Consequently, when a force is applied to the peripheral edge of the head along a line substantially parallel to the axis of the body and in either direction, any tendency of the head to become bent out of its proper position is effectually prevented.

The end plate 9 closing the tubular body is, in the present instance, f ormed integral with the annulus 17. It is formed with two concentric grooves 23 and 24 of which the groove 23 is disposed adjacent the end of the body and the groove 24 adjacent the end of the inner core 10. The latter groove terminates in an outturned flange 25 around which the end of the core is curled as at 25 to connect the opposite end plates 9. The annular portion between the grooves 23 and 24 provides a fiat circular area 27 which is flush with the outer surface or the annulus 1'7 so that a label or the like may be pasted upon such surfaces as indicated in broken lines at 2'7.

In the assembling of the parts, reference being made to Fig. 3, the spacingringZl, when supported at its inner edge, constitutes in efiect an anvil upon which the joint between the plates 9 and 16 of the outer wall and the end of the body is formed, and upon which the connection between the inner endplate 12 is anchored to the body. Thus with the bead 11 initially formed as shown in 3, and resting upon a suitable support, the endwise movement of a forming die toward the end of the body will effect the intenlocking of the, flanges 14 and 15 by the annulus 1'7, and at the same time compress the bead 11 into the ofiset 1'3, with the edge portions 'oi' the two walls 12 and 16 or the head bearing against the inner and outer edges of the ring 21'. In this assembling operation, the outer wall of the groove 23 forms a guiding surface for the end of the body .7 to insure that the flange 14 shall turn outwardly.

The spacer ring 21, moreover, greatly strengthens and rigidities the head structure. Thus it provides a. rigid anchor for the inner wall 12 of the head, and its outer edge coacts withthe annulus 17 of the closure plate 9 so as to fasten firmly the outer wall 16 to the body. By reason 01' the inclinationof the outer wall of the head from the end of the body to Join with the inner wall 12 adjacent the peripheral edge portion of the head, a truss is produced which effectually holds the heads at opposite ends ofthe spool against spreading when the spool is wound with fine wire or silk.

It will be observed that the curl 20 at the peripheral edge of each head terminates in the same plane as the curl 14 at the peripheral edge of the end plate 9, the flat circular portion 2'7 of the and plate aIso lying in this plane. This arrangement of the parts permits of stacking of the spools one upon the other.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of the invention in which the annulus 1'7 is formed integral with the outer end plate 16, the annulus terminating in a portion 23 projecting into the end of the core to reenrorce the same.

In the form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the inner end plate 12* o! the head is slotted to receive lugs 28 on the ends of the body, the portions of the latter between such lugs forming shoulders or abutments against which the inner plate rests. The outer plate 16 has formed integral therewith an annulus 17 with which the ends of the lugs 28 are interlocked. Thus the lugs are entered between opposed walls of the annulus and bent with the latter into flush relation to a labelreceiving circular area 2'7 in the outer end plate 16*. A spacer ring 21 is interposed between the inner plate 12 and outer plate 16 and is shown as consisting of a wire bent to form a series of spaced loops having between them portions adapted to enter into the spaces between the lugs 28. This particular form of spool is claimed in its more specific aspects in my copending application Serial No. 463,065 filed June 23, 1930.

In Fi 8 I have shown an annular depression or groove 28 formed in the outer plate 16 adjacent the point of connection between this plate and the end closure plate 9. This groove may be employed to compensate for variations in the length of the body 7 and to prevent buckling of the outer plate 16. Thus the bottom wall of the groove provides a portion which may bend in a direction longitudinally of the body without afiecting the outer plate proper; and the outermost wallof the groove provides a portion which may bend in a direction transversely oi the body to absorb any excess metal diametrically ef' the plate 16. a 7

I claim as my invention: r

l. A spool oi thacharacter setfor-thcemprlse ing a tubular body and a head for each end 195 of the body comprising ani-nuer plate having a central aperture therein a flange defining said aperture, 2. band'encircling the body with said flange on the innerplateinterposed between the band and the body, means providing a seat on the body ior said inner plate, said head further comprising an outerplate secured at its periphery to the inner plate and also having a central aperture, and an annulus mechanically interlocking. the end oi theibodywith: the centred marginal edge of the outer plate;

2. A spool comprising a tubular body formed from sheet metal, heads for opposite ends or the body each comprisiesa pair of circular plates secured together at their peripheries and con trally apertured receive 7 and of the body, abutment means on said body spaced from the ends thereof, a rigid band interposed between the plates and serving to secure the inner piate against the abutment means or the bedy, and a closure plate for the end of the body having at its peripheral edge an annulus forming a mechanical interlock between the outer plateof the head and the end of the body.

3. A spool comprising a tubular body formed its from sheet metal, heads for opposite ends of the body each comprising a pair of circular'plates secured together at their peripheries and centrally aperturcd to receive the end of the body, a rigid band interposed between the plates, and a closure plate for the end of the body having at its peripheral edge an annulus forming a mechanical interlock between the outer plate of the head and the end of the body to prevent relative displacement thereof longitudinally of the body.

4. A spool comprising a tubular body formed of sheet metal, heads secured to opposite ends of the body and each comprising two circular plates secured together at their peripheries and centrally apertured to receive one end of the body, said body having two longitudinally spaced abutmcnts with which said plates engage respectively, the outer one of said plates being interlocked with the end of the body, and a spacer ring in the form of a corrugated band interposed between said plates adjacent the body to hold them against said abutments.

5. A spool comprising a tubular body formed of sheet metal and heads secured to opposite ends of the body and each comprising two circular plates, and a spacer member interposed between said plates adjacent the body, said spacer member being in the form of a ringof relatively thin material bent to increase the effective crosssectional area of the ring.

6. A spool of the character set forth comprising a tubular body, a head for each end of the body, each of said heads having an inner plate with a central aperture therein to snugly receive the body, said head further comprising an outer plate also centrally apertured and disposed about the end of the body, a relatively flat centrally apertured closure plate for the end of the body having two spaced concentric grooves projecting into the body, an annulus formed as a continuation of the outer peripheral wall of the outer one of said grooves and interlocking the outer plate with the end of the body, and a tubular core conmeeting the closure plates at opposite ends of the body, said core having at each end a flange engaging the inner peripheral wall of the inner one of said grooves.

7. A spool of the character set forth comprising a tubular body and a head for each end of the body comprising an inner plate having a central aperture therein and a flange defining said aperture, and a band encircling the body with said flange on the inner plate interposed between the band and the body, means providing a seat on the body for said inner plate, said head further comprising an outer plate secured at its periphery to the inner plate and also to the end of the body.

8. A spool of the character set forth comprising a tubular body, and a head for each end of the body having an inner end wall with a central aperture therein, said body having an abutment spaced from the end thereof and forming a seat for said inner wall, said head further comprising an outer wall having its peripheral edge secured to the peripheral edge of the inner wall and also rigidly secured to the end of said body, and a spacer ring interposed between the two walls adjacent the body, said outer plate having an annular depression therein adjacent the point of connection with the body.

9. A spool of the character set forth comprising a tubular body, a rigid member arranged axially of the end of the body and disposed adjacent thereto, said member being held against movement relative to the; body in a direction away from the end thereof and said body having a portion projecting beyond said member, a head having a plate centrally apertured with the marginal edge portion of the aperture encircling the projecting end of the body, and an annulus connected with said plate and bent upon said rigid member as an anvil into interlocking relation with said projecting end of. the body.

10. A spool of the character set forth comprising a tubular body, a rigid member arranged axially of the end of the body and disposed adjacent thereto, an abutment on the body for holding said member against movement relative to the body in a direction away from the end thereof said body having a portion projecting beyond said member, a head having a plate centrally apertured with the marginal edge portion of the aperture encircling the projecting end of the body, and an annulus connected with said plate and bent upon said rigid member as an anvil into interlocking relation with said projecting end of the body, said head further comprising a second plate secured at its outer edge to the first plate and apertured to receive the body with the plate interposed between said member and the body so as to be held against movement longitudinally of the body. i

ll. A sheet metal spool comprising a tubular body, a head on the end of the body comprising a fiat inner plate encircling the body at a point spaced from the end thereof and held against movement in either direction longitudinally of the body and also radially thereof, said head further comprising an outer plate also encircling the body and having adjacent the end of the body a reversely bent hook flange, and an end plate for the body having an annulus at its peripheral edge with a reversely bent flange interengaging with the hook flange on the outer head plate and also with the end of the body so as to hold it against movement axially of the body, said two plates being connected at their peripheral edges.

12. A sheet metal spool comprising a tubular body, a head on the end of the body comprising a flat inner plate encircling the body at a point spaced from the end thereof and held against movement in either direction longitudinally of the body, said head further comprising an outer plate also encircling the body and having adjacent the end of the body a reversely bent hook flange, an annulus having a portion projecting into the end of the body so as to engage with the inner surface thereof, said annulus also having a portion extending radially beyond the body and bent reversely into interengaging relation with said hook flange on the outer head plate and with the end of the body, and a reinforcing member closely encircling the body and fitting snugly between said two head plates, said two plates having their peripheral edges connected together.

13. A sheet metal spool comprising a tubular body having a flanged end, a head on the end of the body comprising a fiat centrally apertured inner plate encircling the body at a point spaced from said flanged end thereof and held against movement in either direction longitudinally of the body and also radially thereof, said head further comprising an outer plate also encircling the body and having adjacent the end of the body a reversely bent hook flange, and an end plate for the body having an annulus at its peripheral edge with a reyersely bentfiange interengaging with the flanged end'of the body and with the hook flange onthe outer head plate, said two plates being connected at their peripheral edges, andsaid inner head platehaving a flange foamed integral therewith and encirclin the body between the two plates so as to reinforce the same in the bending of said flanges into interengaging relation.

14. A sheet metal spool comprising a tubular body having a flanged end, a head on the end of the body comprising a fiat inner plate encirclin the body at a point spaced from the flanged end thereof and held against movement in either direction longitudinally of the body and also radially thereof, said head further comprising an outer plate also encircling the body'and having adjacent the end of the body a reversely bent hook flange, and a member fitting into the end of the body and having an annulus at its peripheral edge with a reversely bent flange interengaging with said flange on the body and with the hook flange on the outer head plate, and means for reinforcing the end of the body be tween said two plates to prevent distortion thereof in the bending of said flanges into said interengaging relation.

15. A sheet metal spool comprising a tubular body having one end bent to form a transverse flange, a head on the end of the body comprising a flat inner plate encircling the body at a point spaced from the flanged end thereof and held against movement in either direction longitudinally of the body and also radially thereof, saidhead further comprising an outer plate also encircling the body adjacent the end thereof, an end closure plate including an annulus connected with the outer head plate and bent into clamping engagement with the flanged end of the body so as to hold the outer head plate against movement axially of the body in either direction, and a reiniorcing member for the body between said two head plates to prevent distortion thereof in the bending of said annulus and flange into clamping engagement.

16. A spool of the character set forth comprising a tubular body, a member arranged axially of one end of the body and disposed adjacent thereto, an abutment on the body for holding said member against movement relative to the body in a direction away from the end thereof, said body having a portion projecting beyond said member, a head comprising a plate encircling the projecting end of the body, and an annulus bent upon said member as an anvil into clamping relation to said projecting end of the body, said head further comprising a second plate encircling the body and held against said abutment by said member, said two plates being connected together at their peripheries.

17. A spool comprising a tubular body having a plurality of lugs projecting from one end thereof and a head comprising inner and outer plates both encircling the end of the body and projecting radially therefrom, and a spacer ring interposed between said plates adjacent the body, said head further including an annulus in the form of a fold adapted -to receive said lugs in interengaging relation thereto.

WALLACE C. MILLS. 

